Chicken Playground

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Hi all, I moved my flock into their outdoor home full time this past weekend, and wanted to ask what i can put in their run to help entertain them. They are now just shy of 7 weeks old. I built them a roost toy (3 different shape, size and height roosts) and they really seem to enjoy attempting to jump from bar to bar (and falling off). The run is also lined with large rocks that they love to climb on. The floor of the run is dirt/sand, i have spread some straw around for them to scratch at too. I live in the desert, so grass is not present, and they promptly ate all the weeds that were sprouting up in there.
What else can i do to make their lives more enjoyable? I don't want them to get bored. Once they are older they will get to free range on about 2 1/2 acres, but i want their "home" run to be an good place for them.
Thanks!

 

[N F C]

One thing we did in our run was hang 2 suet cake feeders from a roost. Instead of putting wild bird suet in them, I put things like leafy greens, pieces of squash or apple and homemade flock block (that treat was for this winter).

The girls are entertained pecking at these for a long time. Putting their treats in the feeders make it last longer and it's fun watching them try to peck a bite once the feeders get to swaying back and forth.

This is a picture of the type of feeder I'm talking about. I think we got them at a local hardware store for just a couple bucks each.

 

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Awe thats a great idea! Im sure it helps keep the treats a little more contained and less mess/waste too. Thank you!